FORBIDDEN TALENTS by Robertson Frankie

Author:Robertson, Frankie [Robertson, Frankie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Castle Rock Publishing
Published: 2012-09-13T21:00:00+00:00

*

Celia gathered with the others at dawn the next morning down in the basement storerooms below Quartzholm, near the iron gate that led to the tunnels. Porters had assembled the necessary supplies and equipment the night before. Only those setting out on the quest and a few others were present. Solveig, Hafdan, and the other lords had already left for their own holdings, taking advantage of the break in the weather.

They did a quick inventory of their gear, then loaded up the three reindeer. The relatively short animals made excellent beasts of burden. Underground, the hardy creatures were small enough to fit through the tunnels even with their antlers, and their disproportionately splayed feet would serve them well as built-in snowshoes when the party exited the mountain.

Just before the Walkers departed, Dahleven pulled his dagger from its sheath and presented it to Celia on outstretched palms. Flickering light from the myriad torches glinted off the blade. “May this protect you as I would. Use it valiantly, and return it to me in honor.” He took her dagger in exchange.

Celia knew the gesture must hold more meaning than she understood, but now was not the time to ask. Beyond Dahleven, she saw Fender’s brows rise. He was obviously impressed. Even without knowing the full importance of it, Celia felt tears prick her eyes. Dahleven no doubt knew how poorly her knife training with Fender was going, yet he was publicly showing his confidence in her despite this. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck, but Dahleven stepped away to unlock the gate.

“Very pretty, I’m sure. Can we go now?” Baruq stood with his little fists planted on his hips.

Celia frowned at the pinnsvin. He’d resumed a glamour so as not to alarm the few servants who were present. Of those in the store room, only she and Dahleven could see him as anything other than a small yapping dog.

Baruq actually looked a little embarrassed. “I don’t want to spend any longer underground than I have to.”

The pinnsvin had been persuaded to guide them to his masters. It was either that or the iron cage, Dahleven had said. Celia had argued against using torture as an incentive, but all she’d effectively done was play the good cop to Dahl’s bad. And it had worked. Baruq even seemed to feel he owed her some small amount of courtesy since she’d come to his defense.

It was amazing, really, how well the others had taken the surprise of Baruq. She and Dahleven had gathered them privately the evening before. Che’veyo and the other Tewakwe had taken Baruq’s assistance as a fulfillment of the Shaman’s prayers for guidance. Ragni was curious and quizzed the little Fey servant about the religious practices of the Elves until Baruq shut him down with, “Do I look like a Lios Alfar? Ask them yourself!” Only Brol had hesitated. “That—thing—will guide us? How do we know he won’t lead us right off a cliff?” But Dahl had assured the armsman that Baruq had given his parole and could be trusted—at least in this.

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